Filipino Communication Practices

Unit 3: Mga Gawaing Pangkomunikasyon ng mga Pilipino

• Describes Filipino communication practices across various levels and fields
• Explains the significance of Filipino as an effective language in contextualized communication within communities and throughout the nation.
• Uses Filipino in different specific communication situations in Philippine society
• Deepens the appreciation of Filipino ways of expression in various levels and fields.
• Considers culture and other social aspects in idea exchange.

Tsismisan

• Derived from the Spanish word "chismes," and are stories that may be based on truth.
• Details may be added or subtracted for discussion potentially leading to different versions with often negative impacts.
• Istoryahan ng Buhay-Buhay ng mga Kababayan translates to stories of the lives of townmates.

Three Origins of Gossip

• Observation by the first person/group who saw/heard the gossip
• Invented statements that aim to destroy someone
• Fabricated texts that manipulate or deceive a group or the public

Additional Info

• "Kapag may usok, malamang may apoy" translates to "where there's smoke, there's fire."
• Intrigue is a type of gossip that damages reputation or friendship.
• A gossiper is someone who likes to chat or spread other people's secrets.
• Tsismosa is known as a liar and inventor of stories.
• Gossip is used as an "instrument of power" by the ruling class to deceive the working class, from a political point of view.
• Gossip intending to hurt and disgrace a person is considered defamation and may be fought with legal action like libel or slander cases.
• Libel is one with malicious allegations of a crime or defect that could be factual or an assumption, according to Article 353.

Umpukan

• Refers to a group of family members, friends, classmates, or acquaintances who have similar habits, actions, activities, and goals.
• It occurs because an issue and goal common to each person is wanted to be discussed of clarified.
• It differs to gossip because the topic in Umpukan has a good focus.
• Umpukan happens not only on the street but frequently in schools (students and teachers), offices (employees), courts (jury and lawyers), and with voters (congressmen or senators).
• Taal na sa maraming Filipino ang pagkapikon dahil sa “isang kulturang buhay na buhay at masigla dahil sa pagbibiruan" means that being sensitive is normal to Filipinos because of playfulness.
• The topic of discussion is unplanned ,it could be about life of people in the community, or new faces and events around the surrounding.

Salamyaan

• Is a tradition where "umpukan" is in focus.
• It is located in Marikina as it focuses on the city in the consciousness of its citizens.
• Apart from eating, singing and playing bingo, talk and bantering occurs here.

UB-Ufon

• Usually done in a set place, with gathering of neighbors to introduce each other, talk about different issues, give advice, resolve conflicts, teach traditions to younger neighbors.
• Neighbors will also invite others to events and help with problems like financial needs.
• "Umpukan" is also used to describe the thickening or the majority of people.
• Discussions where people exchanges opinion or point of view are informal.

Talakayan

• Exchange of ideas between two or more participants focused on a specific topic.
• Formally, discussion may be formal or informal, face-to-face or mediated with media.
• Formal discussion is based on specific steps, with people managing the discussion
• An informal discussion is a free exchange of opinions on a topic without formal steps being followed.
• Formal discussions have a facilitator that is definite to ensure the proper flow of discussion.
• It is important for groupmates to be calm when they are starting to heat up.

Purposes of Discussions

• To find out the issues relevant to the people
• Have some clarity
• To create an action
• Resolve problems

Types of Formal Discussion

• Panel Discussions
• Symposiums
• Lecture Forums

Pagbabahay-bahay

• Visiting homes in a community to deliver important information, teach technology, consult with family members about issues or programs, persuade to join a contest or association.
• It can also encourage patronage of a product, thought, activity or advocacy.
• This method can easily discuss sensitive issues in the community.

Those Who Use Pagbabahay-bahay

• Politicians campaigning during elections
• Elected leaders or representatives
• Representatives of government agencies
• Organized groups inside and outside the community
• Religious groups
• Private institutions
• Researchers

Pulong-Bayan

• A gathering of a group of citizens that usually discusses political issues that relate to goals of the town.
• It is a gathering of people at a set time and place to discuss a community program related to a community concern, problem, question.
• It is implemented when a program is planned or implemented, there are problems that need to be solved, and there are laws to be implemented in a community.

Participants of Pulong-Bayan

• Representatives of community
• Heads of family representatives
• Residents expected of issue or interested to participate.

Objectives of Pulong-Bayan

• Consultation with citizens
• To persuade them to support or join
• Planning with them
• Making a decision that they outline
• Mobilizing them regarding the issue
• Problems, activities or community programs, etc.

Those who can Request for Pulong Bayan

• Elected leader
• Councilor
• Head of town
• Governor
• Congressman
• Senator

Non-Verbal Communication:

• Ways of conveying meaning or message through various means rather than words.
• It is abundant in Filipino culture and can be shown through gestures.

Other points

• Kinesics refers to communication related to body movement like facial expressions.
• Facial expressions can show enjoyment, joy, sadness, anger, fear and frustration.
• Stance considers how other people are affected by the way they sit, walk, stand, or even move the head
• Gesturing is a part of how people commonly express their thoughts and feelings.
• The way someone looks at other people can convey different meanings, can convey meaning.

Points on Touching

• Refers to the space or gap distance that may be related to two people talking.
• Haptics (touch) can also show meaning
• The people talking can be close or far, which convey different meanings.
• Intimate = 0-1.5 inches, Social distance = 4-12 inches, Public = 12 inches

Ways to use non-verbal signs

• Non-verbal cues supplements verbal communication.
• These can be used in lieu of using words
• These can negate what language states
• Used to facilitate the flow of communication.

Types of non-verbal communication

• Communication through touching
• Communication through space
• Communication through time (chronemics)
• Through silence

Correlations of communication based on examples given by Reusch and Kees include:

• Signaling through gestures in place of using words, as well as letters and punctuation.
• Action, like walking or eating. This can be given meaning by those watching.
• Objects, both intentional and unintentional, like jewelry, clothes, books, and a house.

Local Expressions

• Words or phrases that Filipinos say due to a surge of emotions like anger, annoyance, shock, surprise, panic, fear, dismay, joy, or delight.
• They strengthen the Filipino language and it mirror the knowledge and emotion of the people.
• Walter Fisher states that humans are storytelling beings and communication should be treated as a story.

Examples of Local Expressions

• In Southern Tagalog and other regions, common expressions are "Nakupo!" (Oh no!) and "Susmaryosep!"
• "Ewan!" (I don't know!) is a response to avoid an issue
• "Isa" (One)- Threaten someone to stop or start what they are doing
• Additional language to these include inflection, loudness, tone, speed of talking

More Examples of Local Expressions

• "Nakupo Inakupo" from "Inay ko (po)" (My mother) shows help from a mom, which implies maternal importance
• "Dyusko" and "Susmaryosep" have Catholic influence.
• "Ano ba yan!" in Tagalog and "Anya metten" in Ilocano shows dislike or sarcasm.
• More Ilocano expressions:
  • "Alla!" = shocked
  • "Gemas" = delightful
  • "Agpanlalaing sa met!" = boastful
• Local expressions specific to regions of the Philippines

Other Customs:

• Approaching Awareness to Culture
• Greetings done by saying "Magandang ( umaga, tanghali, hapon, gabi o araw)" followed with nodding and head turning, raising or waving the hand, or shaking hands.
• Avoiding someone can suggest feuding with someone.

Communication and Filipino Language

• Strengthened links and shared understanding, promotes progress.
• Existence of varied communication shows rich tradition.
• Languages mirror the values and beliefs of a culture.
• A need to implement instruction methods towards cultural awareness.
• Confining oneself to foreign communication theories can warp how one thinks to interact.